Method of making concrete building blocks



Aug. 28, 1928.

F.,J. STRAUB METHOD OF MAKING CONCRETE BUILDING BLOC-KS 2 I Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 16, 1926 Aug. 28, 1928.

F. J. STRAUB METHOD OF MAKING CONCRETE BUILDING BLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 16, 1926 o l l Patented Aug. 7 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES.

FRANCIS J. STRAUB, OF NEW KENSINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF MAKING CONCRETE BUILDING BLOCKS.

Application filed November 16, 1926. Serial No. 148,677.

My invention consists of an improved process or method of making concrete aggregate building blocks and the like.

It has for its object to efiect, in connection 6 with a finishing or smoothing action on the face of the block in formation, an impregnation into and partially throughone of the faces of the block, of a waterproofing or filling liquid or substance, whereby to provide for increased weather resistance and at the same time improve thesurface appearance.

The object in view is accomplished by means of a relatively movable plate or wall member of a molding machine, adapted to be oscillated or reciprocated during the formation of the block within the mold, and to furnish to such face a supply of impregnating liquid under pressure, across the entire area of one or more sides of the block, while leav- 80 ing the other 'faces as ordinarily made.

In the drawings illustrating the invention, in connection with a standard multiplex block machine, I provide a special smoothing and liquid applying wall forming a partition in a double block machine, or at one side in a single block machine. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not specifically limited to any particular machine, design or construction, the invention consisting in a block having an impregnated smoothed surface, and in the method or process of securing such result.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partv plan part horizontal section on the line I-I of Fig. 2, showing a machine adapted to produce the improved block;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line IIII of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line III-III of Fig. 2:

Fig. 4 is a partial view like Fig. 1, showing a modified construction of fluid supply wall in a single block machine;

Fig. 5 is a face view in elevation of the fluid supply wall;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a block embodying the invention.

The mold 2 of the machine is mounted on frame 3 and is provided with the usual core bridge 4, cores 5 and pressing plate 6 of standa-rd construction, except as to the modification in the mold, hereinafter described. 7

Bottom plates 7 move upwardly and downwardly around the stationary cores 5 by means of links 8 and cranks 9 of hollow actuating shaft 10, the bottom-plates having the usual supporting pedestals 11. The presser plates 6 are actuated by inner shaft 12, cranks 13, and connections 14 and 15 supporting the vertlcally movable and laterally swinging cross head 16 for the plates, as is generally understood.

Bottom plates 7 are connected at each side of the middle reciprocating wall or plate 17 by depending stirrups or yokes 18 which connect the inner edges of the bottom plates together so that they move up and down as one umt.

In general construction and operation, the machine is of usual standard Construction, except that the partition plate 17 is usually stationary, in a double block machine.

In my improved machine I preferably mount the partition plate 17 so that it may be alternately moved back and forth during the molding, pressing, and ejectin'g operations. For such purpose the plate is mounted in end extensions 19 of the mold casing and a shaft 20 extends centrally through the plate, having a guide sleeve 21 at one end and an actuating terminal 22 at the other. 1

Said terminal is retracted by a spring 23 and is alternately pushed inwardly by a plunger 24 under the impelling action of a cam or eccentric 25. Said element, with suitable ball bearings and proper lubrication, is mounted for rotation on shaft 26, extending a from gear box 27 to bearing 28 for the outer end of the shaft and for plunger 24..

A motor 29 transmits movement through its shaft and worm or other suitable gearing in gear box 27 at the desired speed to shaft 26' and the eccentric. Such movement effects rapid alternating or reciprocatory motion to plate 17 during operation of-the motor.

The resulting eifect is to impart to the face of the block a trowelling action by the vibration of the plate, tending to effect greater density of the aggregate by collecting the particles and effecting flow of the liquid in the same manner as is generally practiced in trowelling mortar. The desired result is enhanced by continuing the reciprocation of the partition plate during upward ejection of the blocks, so that upon arriving at the raised position they may be carried away on the usual pallets 30 for drying and storage.

In Fig. 4 I show a modified construction in which the casing 2 of the machine is for a single block manufacture, with the reciprocating wall 17 substituted in place of'the usual 'side wall ,of the mold. In such case the operof ports or openings 34, through which the liquid is distributed across the contacting face of the block after its formation, and as the finished block is ejected from the machine by elevation of the bottom plates 7. During such ejecting movement the reciprocation of plate 17 will effect a thorough and complete wdistribution of the liquid across the entire area of the block from top to bottom and from one end to the other.

The liquid in cavity 31 being under pressure will be exuded through the openings 34 onto and through the surface of the block as it moves upward past the holes. The liquid is not only forcibly impressed against the surface of the block, but will be forced into and through the pores for a considerable depth, dependent upon the porosity of the block, the fluidity of the substance, and the pressure to which it is subjected. Such pressure may be readily controlled and the extent' of impregnation easily regulated by the operator to suit the conditions required.

It will be understood that the pressure will be cut off during the making of the block, and turned on as by a valve in the supply line 33 for application during ejection only. Such pressure control may be either manual or otherwise, as preferred.

The resulting block emerges from the diachine with its entire face thoroughly soaked and charged with the waterproofing material, so that when the block is hardened, such substance will be ermanently retained, together with the adcitd advantage of a finished attractive surface.

It will also be understood that the fluid substance may be of any desired color, and

that by such means the block may be colored or tinted at its exposed face within a wide range and variety.

It will also be understood, oicourse, that the treatment may be given to one face of the block in a single block machine, asin the modification shown in Fig. 4. Also that one side face and one end face may-be similarly treated in a single block for use in building corners.

' The construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description by all those familar with this class of mechanism.

Upon lowering of the usual bottom plates 7, t e pallets 30 are placed thereon after gate, preferably through a superim which the mold cavities are filled with aglgreper, not shown. Durmgsuch 0 m tion the usual filling hopper or other 'ng device is adjusted, the pressing plate 6 is m thrown outwardly beyond the machine by its connecting arms 15, as in Fig. 1, and the mold cavity is filled with aggregate. Thereupon the material is pressed by lowering the pressing plate, and the bottom plates '7 are then surface, well adapted for outside exposure in 1 building a wall or the like, while the remaining portions of the block are of theusual rough porous consistency.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by all those accustomed to the use and making of concrete blocks, either of the usual aggregate or of any special mixture, as cinders and ashes, like that of 1,212,840.

WhatIclaimis:

my prior Patent No.

1. The method of making a concrete building block consisting compressing the block 7 in a mold and then impregnating one of its faces with an investing fluid while moist and under pressure.

2. The method of making a concrete building block consisting in compressing the block in a mold and then impregnating one of its faces an investing waterproofing fluid while moist and. under pressure.

3. The method of making a concrete building block consisting in compressing the block in a mold and then impregnating one of its faces with an investing waterproofing fluid under pressure.

4. The method of making a concrete building block consisting in compressing the block in a mold and then imp ating one of its faces with an investing co oring fluid while moist and under presume.

5. The method of making a concrete build- Ila ing block consising in compressing the block in a mold and then g one of its faces with an investing fluid un er pressure and while confiniusaid face during ejection 1a! of the block from e mold.

7. The method of making a concrete building block in compressing the block m a mold and then im ating one of its faces with an investingffluid underppressure 13c while confining said face with accompanying the face of the block in co-operation with an smoothing thereof during ejection of the. alternating smoothing action and during ejecblock-from the mold. tion of the block and movement thereof in a W 8. The method of making a concrete builddirection transverse to the smoothing action. 6 ing block consisting in compressing the block In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my in a mold and then impregnating one of its signature.

faces with an investing fluid applied across FRANCIS J STRAUB. 

